Video: Utah trooper sideswiped by semi-truck

Utah trooper was inside his patrol car finishing the paperwork on a traffic stop, when a massive truck slammed into the side of his vehicle

By Amy Nay
KUTV

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah — Utah Trooper James Wright was inside his patrol car just after 6 a.m., finishing the paperwork on a traffic stop, when the massive truck slammed into the side of his vehicle.

Utah Highway Patrol Lieutenant Rich Christianson says Trooper Wright was shaken up, but uninjured, and described looking up and seeing the semi just inches from his face. He says they realize this is a risk they take in this line of work, but it's unusual for the close call to happen twice in just ten weeks.

Lehi police were called in to investigate and administered a field sobriety test. Half way through the test, the driver identified as Steven Sturgis Bill, 49, allegedly took off running and was tackled by officers. Bill, from the Las Vegas area, is now behind bars in the Utah County jail and is facing a number of charges including DUI, drug possession, resisting arrest and traffic violations.